The National Weather Service said a critical to extreme fire weather threat was in place across North and Central Texas on Friday due to above-normal temperatures, very gusty winds, and exceptionally dry conditions that made wildfires more likely and more difficult to fight.
On Friday, a Red Flag Warning was in effect for all of North and Central Texas from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., and a High Wind Warning was in effect for North Texas from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. A Red Flag Warning is issued when critical fire weather conditions are occurring or about to occur.
Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are
Friday's High Wind Warning brought winds out of the south/southwest, ranging between 20 and 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. The NWS said gusts frequently reached the 50 mph range. Blowing dust impacted North Texas.
Click here to see all North Texas weather alerts
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning with NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
Humidity was very low at 10%, and temperatures ranged between 73 and 86 degrees. Dry conditions contributed to the fire risk, with no rain in the forecast and very dry vegetation. These conditions made the rapid spread of wildfires possible.
High winds impacted trees, power lines, and property. Authorities warned residents to assume any downed line was energized and a threat to life. Loose objects were secured before the wind arrived, and power outages were reported in some areas. Travel became difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
Warm and dry conditions were expected to continue across the region through the weekend and into the following week. An elevated to critical fire weather threat was expected to linger through at least the middle of the week.
The biggest concern on Friday was that if a fire started, it could quickly become extreme due to the weather conditions.
Fire danger threat levels
The National Weather Service uses three fire threat levels: Elevated, Critical, and Extreme.
The Fire Threat is a combination of Fire Danger, as provided by the Texas A&M Forest Service, and the following weather conditions: wind, humidity, low-mid level atmospheric stability, dry lightning activity, and solar energy.
The Fire Threat is meant to indicate when wildfires would be hard to suppress or control and therefore pose a risk to life and property.
The NWS said Extreme fire threats are rare. The last time most of North Texas was under a Red Flag Warning was in 2023. For Rockwall, Collin, and Grayson counties, and counties to the northeast, it had been since 2022. Counties including and west of Jack, Palo Pinto, Erath, Comanche, and Hamilton were last under a Red Flag Warning on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service offers these steps you can take to lower the risk of fires igniting and ensure your safety:
Avoid outdoor burning
During red-flag fire conditions, outdoor burning, including the burning of brush or trash, should be avoided. Sparks or embers can easily ignite nearby grass or leaves, leading to a wildfire.
Properly dispose of cigarettes and matches
If you smoke, never throw cigarettes or matches outside of a moving vehicle, as they can ignite dry grass on the side of the road and start a wildfire. Ensure that all smoking materials are fully extinguished before disposing of them safely.
Avoid using machinery that can create sparks
During red flag conditions, be careful not to drag trailer chains that may cause sparks. It’s also best to avoid using lawnmowers or any outdoor machinery that could create sparks and ignite fires.
Don't drive or park on dry grass
Drivers should avoid parking or driving in areas with tall, dry grass which the vehicle's exhaust system can cause to catch fire.
Have an evacuation plan
The Texas A&M Forest Service also urges Texans to have a plan if there's an evacuation because of wildfire danger, including identifying at least two evacuation routes and saving them in your navigation system or phone.
Texans should also assemble a "Go Kit" that meets the needs of all family members and start with the five P’s:
- People and Pets – plan for the whole family, including pets and livestock.
- Prescriptions – bring extra medication, eyeglasses, hearing aids and medical equipment including necessary batteries and power cords.
- Papers – include copies of insurance information, phone numbers and other important documents.
- Personal needs – pack personal items including clothes, food, water, toiletries, first aid kit, cash, computers/tablets, phones, chargers and sanitation supplies.
- Priceless items – include items of sentimental value, such as pictures, heirlooms and irreplaceable memorabilia.
Stay informed during severe weather season with our news and weather apps for phones, tablets and TVs. On phones and tablets, choose the breaking and weather alerts you want to receive. More details and links to app stores are here.
